CARICO, Billy S. (Bull), Lt. Col. USAF Retired, age 78, died Wednesday evening, February 15, 2012 of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Billy was born in Kingsport, TN, and graduated from Dobyns Bennett High School. He joined the United States Air Force as an aviation cadet and graduated in 1955 as a 2nd Lieutenant jet fighter pilot. After an active duty tour, Bill returned to Knoxville and joined the newly formed Air National Guard, with McGhee Tyson Air Base, where he flew first line jet fighter planes and then air refueling tanker aircraft until retirement in 1983. After 29 years’ service, Bill was named flight commander and then operations officer of the 151st Fighter and Tanker Squadrons. He was activated for various duties during his service for missions to several different countries, including the 1961 active duty call-up to Germany during the “Berlin Crisis.” In the meantime, Bill attended the University of Tennessee and graduated as an Industrial Engineer. He was employed by the Aluminum Company of America where he served in the Engineering Department, Planning and Security Departments, and also in the Labor Relations Manager position. Bill retired from Alcoa in 1999, after 35 years of service. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley and Violet Carico; brother, Ronald Carico, all of Kingsport. He is survived by his wife Thea Lynne Carico of Powell; brother, Douglas and wife, Wilma of Kingsport; three children, Tracy Carico Walker and husband, Steve, Shelley Carico Molen and husband, Mark; and son, Steve Carico, and wife, Pam, all of Maryville; step-children, Melinda McBride and Douglas Hunt and wife, Lisa all of Powell; sister, Beverly DeFord and husband, Austin, of Pigeon Forge, TN.; and brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Frances Ridley of Gainesville, FL. Also survived by grandchildren, Will, Molly and Ben Carico, Parker and Bradley Molen, Macie and Brady McBride, and Amanda and Daniel Hunt. Appreciation to the descendant’s family of former father and mother-in-law, Otis and Molly Helton. Also to Home Health Care and Hospice for excellent care. Service will be on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 3:00pm at Sherwood Chapel in Alcoa, TN, with Jamie Bauknight and Rev. Eldon Moore officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm prior to the service. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Chapel and Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be made at: www.sherwoodchapel.net
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